Well, after a long spell we are active, but this time really active and going all the way. Where is all the way? to the ribbon cutting, we are going to open a technical school in Bermuda and we are going to ensure our youth can get an education they understand and that will ensure they can become the future of Bermuda with confidence. Enough of the guns and violence, enough of the drop-outs and underachievers because they were unable to find what they were looking for in the public education system, we are going to make it happen for our youth especially the boys.
We are going to need all the help we can get and if YOU feel you have something to offer call us or e-mail us 334-8627 or bdaboil@ibl.bm or bdatechhs@gmail.com
We will be awaiting your call or e-mail, our rather small, but determined group is about to expand and we have some serious work to do in raising the funds for the most important proposal to hit Bermuda in fifty years. Why? because it will affect every segment of the community, country and Island in one way or another. Let me explain:
We will give our young people the foundation of a technical education, the basic theory whilst in high school, and we will offer them the means to progress in the evenings to advance to the next level until fully qualified.
How does this affect every segment of Bermudian life? Well for a start it will set a standard of basic technical education from which employers can train technicians, the employers will have less and less reliance upon guest workers, business owners will enjoy a better quality of work from home grown technicians with soft skills and qualifications, home owners will be able to rely on the quality of work from home grown technicians, the technical workforce will gradually become what it was in the days when apprentices were trained by the Navy in the Dockyard. Why is this important? because our boys have lost confidence in our society and created one of their own, one filled with gangs, violence and drugs, and it is being asked why? I think that is clear we have neglected them!!!
Now we are attempting to right the wrong and we will with your help, so come and join us and find out more about our proposal and intentions.
This journey will be a good one, we intend that the school will be in "trust" for future generations to enjoy so that NO-ONE will be able to close it down, and technical education will thrive once again in Bermuda.
Are you with us? then call us and lend us your support in getting this very important project into a reality by March 2012 - yes March 2012.
Colin

Feedback

In the past two months we have had a lot of feedback from people with views about the idea, the aspirations of what it is we are trying to achieve. I have included some of those comments but the identity has been concealed to protect those people.It is now time to organise from the grass roots not for political reasons not for racial reasons but a much more important reason, the future of our youth especially the boys. It is fine to agree to the idea and wish those well in its execution, but the truth of this is the execution of this idea into reality will only happen if the people want it.We are starting a statement that we want education compatable to the needs of our youth and those of industry to enable our young people to get meaningful jobs and become citizens that not only are we proud of but are proud of their own accomplishments. I would ask us all to do some soul searching to become a part of this change for Bermuda. Join us in organising to make this school happen for our children, their children and their children's children.

2nd Dec
Good day,I read your proposal listed on the website, I’m very interested in learning more. I do feel that a technical school would be beneficial to our children. I have a 13 year old boy who struggles academically, I feel a technical school would be a fantastic opportunity for him to succeed academically while learning a trade.Great idea, I support you 100%2nd DecDear Mr. Palmer,I think your idea and dream of a tech high school is wonderful and I hope that it becomes a reality.As for young people making choices early...there are only so many kinds of work in the world. There are many similarities and transferability of skills within occupations. Therefore, If a choice is made that turns out to not be the best fit, much of what was learned up to that point can be applied to a new choice.If your dream should include careers in health care I would love to talk with you. I have taught dental assisting in Ontario and formally trained dental assistants are in short supply in Bermuda. An institution could offer some general health courses that would prepare participants for careers in pharmacy tech, personal support workers, dental assisting and dietary aids to list a few. Vocabulary and nomenclature, anatomy and physiology, infection control procedures, nutrition and psychology are examples of common curriculum for these fields. In addition, the soft skills that were mentioned in your article such as workplace protocol, business writing and job search techniques are essential for anyone entering the workplace.I wish you all the best with your initiative.

2nd Dec
Hi Colin, I read with great interest your article about the tech school which I believe is sorely needed in BDA. I'm afraid I'm not your "mega" benefactor, but would love to meet with you to see if and how I can help. Look forward to hearing from you.Regards18th Nov Comments: Hello, I've read the full proposal and i am very hopeful as Bermuda has needed this for some time. My initial comments follow:-while i agree this is a necessity and we have to start somewhere, I think it needs to be implemented on a much bigger scale to make the necessary impact, although i do understand the challenges. -fees in line with private schools will alienate some of the people who need it most, even with the occasional scholarship. -I am curious about the entrance requirements as many of the students who would excel in this environment are doing poorly in their current environments. -there is an employment forecast on bdacareers.bm which shows the demand for jobs up to 2012 and the number of expats currently in those roles which would complement this propsal (condensed version of course). Notwithstanding the above, the proposal definitely is valid and this would be a huge step forward for Bermuda. I am interested in how I may be of assistance in this endeavor and I hope to hear from you soon. Rgds19th NovComments: Just wanted to say that I totally agree with your proposal for a technical institute in Bermuda. As a young male Bermudian in his 20's, I wish there were other options for me to attend rather then regular academia. The Govt of Bermuda needs to buck up and realize that not every child learns the same way and all are not fit to learn standard curriculum. If there were other options for our youth to learn different skills, then maybe our society as we now know it could be better in terms of increased productivity, less dysfunctional members, and increase in the (Bermudian) workforce!!!!

19th Nov
To Whom It May Concern:
I had received a call from someone who had heard information on a local radio station about your new upcoming program. The person thought your program would be something I might be greatly interested in and gave me the website listing. I have perused the website.Since 1984, I have enjoyed a successful teaching career. I am an experienced educator having spent twenty (20) years in the public education system and the last five (5) years as principal of my own home school operation, …………. I would like to know more about your new initiative and would be interested in meeting with you at your convenience to discuss.Sincerely

19th Nov
Comments: Good Luck. Worthy Cause, hopefully not a Sisyphus-ian struggle!19th NovMr. Palmer,I would first like to commend you for your passion and interest in the young people of Bermuda. More than that, though, you have translated your passion into action and aptly articulated your ideas. Congratulations! I am truly inspired by your vision for technical education in Bermuda and by your ability to mobilize that vision.

18th Nov
Comments: Students need a choice between academic and technicalStudents with a flare for techncial aspirations are being deniedNot every student can afford to go to university so this is an opportunity to persue a career they can fullfill on island More Bermudians qualified in technical fields means less work permitsBermudians have become snobs towards the technical fields, we need to change our mindsetWe will always need electricians, plumbers, masons, scaffolders, car mechanics, a/c technicians etcStudents persuing technical training need to remember they must still have good grades in the 3 Rs (Arithmetic, Reading, Writing)I admire people who are professioinal in their trades and don't just spin the wheels of the global economy such as trusts, corporations, banks and insurance companies

20th Oct
Comments: I think it is a good idea, but don't know where the resources would come from. With my current situation I can't help finacially and I don't own a building. I'm in the computer business and finding qualified locals is nearly impossible. And there are some good computer techs out there that choose other careers after becoming qualified because they don't enjoy dealing with customersHTML graphics in this message have been blocked. [Show HTML Graphics Edit Preferences]');if (imgblocked=="no") document.write('HTML graphics in this message have been displayed. [What\'s This? Edit Preferences]');//-->